MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 team preview: No. 21 Aledo

With back-to-back 4A state championships and the nation's top running back returning, Aledo should be better than ever in 2011.

Aledo owns a 29-game winning streak and returns many key pieces, including Texas-bound Johnathan Gray, and those returning pieces will make the Bearcats extremely difficult to stop.

The reigning U.S. Air Force National Junior of the Year, Gray rushed for an astounding 3,221 yards and 59 touchdowns last season, including eight in Aledo's impressive 69-34 romp over La Marque.

Quarterback Matthew Bishop and wide receiver Michael Mann also return, as does offensive lineman Michael Wilson, who has already committed to Texas A&M. Two other starters on the line are also back.



This season, head coach Tim Buchanan expects to use Gray more in the team's passing game, making the Bearcats' offense even more potent — if that's possible. On the season last year, Aledo outscored opponents 780-217.

The team's defense will have to replace some key players but does return four starters. Defense end Jaylen Hill will lead Aledo's efforts up front. Linebackers Gunner Johnson and Jace Vincent are back; they were in on more than 160 tackles in total last season.

Dayne Davis, one of the team's top defensive backs last year, returns in 2011. He'll provide leadership to an otherwise inexperienced unit that could be an Achilles Heel to the Bearcats.

If Aledo solidifies its secondary and Gray stays healthy, the Bearcats have a great shot at another state title and potential undefeated season.

Local look: "Aledo has been a very solid team every year with coach Buchanan, but right now, two truly outstanding players have taken them to another level. Johnathan Gray is just unbelievable. He broke a 57-year state record last year with 59 touchdowns including eight in the championship game when he was supposed to be injured. He's a star. And quarterback Matthew Bishop went crazy when Gray was down last year. As athletes, those two guys are almost unstoppable. There's not a lot of big names on defense but they're solid. The program has been real good for a long time but those two guys make them special."
– Matt Wixon, Dallas Morning News.

Continue to School Profile
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School size: 4A


Enrollment: 1,472




2010 finish: 16-0


Head coach: Tim Buchanan


Career record: 188-48-3


Years as head coach: 18


Notable players coached:
OL Kyle Hix (Texas)
DL Michael Wilcoxon (Texas)

Continue to Key Returners
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No of returning starters: 8 (offense), 4 (defense)

Key losses:
RB Ben Jopling
TE Justin Breshears
DL Danny Edwards
CB Cameron Cunningham
DB Rylan Riney
OL Garrett Young

Key returners:
RB Johnathan Gray
QB Matthew Bishop
WR Michael Mann
WR Todd Chrisitian
OT Michael Wilson
DL Ryan Dawsey

Key newcomers:
DB Clayton Lowe
DB Jonny Carter

Continue to Season Outlook
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Toughest game: Lake Travis (Austin, Texas). Aledo traveled to Austin and snapped the Cavaliers' 48-game winning streak last season, so Lake Travis will certainly be hungry for revenge.

Question mark: How well can Aledo's secondary come together? Can Johnathan Gray stay injury-free?



Local outlook: Nearby Denton Ryan finished 15-1 last season, losing only to Lake Travis in the 4A-I finals. The Raiders return a stacked defense, led by defensive end Mario Edwards, and could figure into the national rankings picture.

Overall outlook: Offensively, Aledo will be talented, diverse and well-coached. In short, it will be extremely difficult to prepare for. If the Bearcats hold up in the defensive secondary, it will be a special season for Aledo.

Coach quote: "If we can develop a defensive secondary and replace our center, we should be stronger [than 2010.]"
- Tim Buchanan

Continue to Video of Returning Players
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